Temperature sensitive color changing water toy

ABSTRACT

A color changing water toy generally includes a porous absorbent core that absorbs water, typically made from a soft open cell foam. The porous core is covered with colorful graphics, at least some of which are printed with thermochromically sensitive paint or dye. The absorbent core is preferably covered with a porous skin typically made with fabric that has been printed with the colorful graphics. At least some of the graphics are printed with thermochromically sensitive paint or dye. Thus, the color changing water toy absorbs water that is readily released upon the water toy striking an object and also changes color depending upon the temperature of its environment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to thermochromically sensitivetoys, more particularly, the invention relates to an absorbent spongetoy having a fabric cover treated with temperature sensitive paint thatappears differently colored depending upon the temperature to which thetoy is exposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Porous absorbent sponge toys exist in the toy makers' art. Theyare typically exposed to water and then tossed at persons or objects tosplash water on the person or object.

[0003] In the past, a variety of toys have been developed withcolor-changing features using thermochromic or light-sensitive materialsembedded or mixed in plastic, printed on paper or plastic, orimpregnated in fibers used for clothing, doll hair, plush figures, orthe like. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,604 issued to Shimizu etal., on Dec. 24, 1985 (coating fibers used for stuffed toys withthermochromic material); 4,134,853 issued to Ehrlich et al. on Jan. 16,1979 (photochromic composition combined with moldable materials forforming toys); and 3,980,300 issued to Hornsby, Jr. on Sep. 14, 1976(layer of liquid crystalline material used for ball) which disclose theuse of such materials in toys. British Patent No. GB 2,066,089A issuedto Rickson on Jul. 8, 1981, describes the use of temperature-sensitivecholesteric liquid crystal material for changing the color of the eyesof a doll. U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,607 issued to Ryan et al. on May 14, 1968discloses a figure toy having synthetic hair fibers impregnated with anindicator dye which changes color in response to contact with liquids ofdifferent pH concentrations.

[0004] Thermochromic materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,567,019issued to Lawton on Jan. 28, 1986; 4,421,560 issued to Kito et al. onDec. 20, 1983; and 4,028,118 issued to Nakasuji et al. on Jun. 7, 1977.Heat-sensitive recording materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,611,072 issued to Nachbar et al.; 4,462,616 issued to Shanton on Jul.31, 1984; and 4,444,819 issued to Maruta et al. A reversible heatsensitive recording composition is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,301issued to Kito et al. on Jan. 19, 1988.

[0005] None of the above-referenced patents discloses or suggests theuse of a thermochromic material with an absorbent sponge toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides an absorbent, porous soft toy thatchanges color as the temperature of the toy varies. The toy of thepresent invention generally includes a porous absorbent core thatabsorbs water, typically made from a soft open cell foam. The absorbentcore is covered with a porous skin typically made with fabric that hasbeen printed with colorful graphics. At least some of the graphics areprinted with thermochromically sensitive paint or dye. Thus, the colorchanging water toy will absorb water that is readily released upon thewater toy striking an object and also changes color depending upon thetemperature of its environment.

[0007] A porous absorbent water toy covered with thermochromic materialprovides numerous play opportunities. For example, a child can immersethe toy in water at different temperatures and observe the toy changingfrom one color to another as it is moved from one temperature water toanother. The color of the toy also changes with exposure to differentair temperatures. The toy is typically used in play by immersing it inwater and then throwing it at an object. Most of us have tossed waterballoons at some time in our lives. The advantage of the present toyover water balloons is that it is readily reusable and also does notcreate an environmental hazard in the form of small pieces of plasticthat can be ingested by animals or small children.

[0008] Further play opportunity is that depending upon temperature ofthe water in which the toy is soaked before throwing, the recipient ofthe splash would be forewarned as to whether to expect a splash of waterthat is warm or cold. Accordingly, there is a need in the toymanufacturing arts for a toy that can be soaked with water and changescolor based on the temperature of its environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the colorchanging water toy in accordance with the present invention havingportions thereof covered with a thermochromic material;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the colorchanging water toy;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the colorchanging water toy;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of a disk shaped embodiment of the colorchanging water toy; and

[0013]FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of the colorchanging water toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The color changing water toy 10 of the present inventiongenerally includes a soft porous absorbent core 11 and a water permeableexterior shell 12. The water permeable shell 12 is preferably made of adurable porous synthetic fabric 14. Preferably, fabric 14 is printedwith colorful graphics 16. In another alternate embodiment, the graphicsmay be applied to the soft porous absorbent core 11 and covered by amesh, translucent or transparent shell 12. Preferably, graphics 16 areprinted on the water permeable exterior shell 12. Graphic 16 may includeany number of colors. Preferably, graphic 16 includes three or fourcolors.

[0015] Water permeable exterior shell 12 may be formed of any materialthat will allow liquid to pass through with sufficient facility.Materials may include fabric, mesh, perforated plastic or otherperforated sheet material.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the invention includesfirst color 18, second color 20 and third color 22. For example, firstcolor 18 may be purple, second color 20 may be yellow and third color 22may be green when the color changing water toy 10 is at roomtemperature.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, in a second exemplary embodiment, graphic 16may include four colors. In this embodiment of the invention, firstcolor 24 may be blue, second color 26 may be green, third color 28 maybe orange and fourth color 30 may be yellow. This color scheme applieswhen the color changing water toy 10 is below, for example, 27° C. Abovethat temperature, one or more colors would change.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the third embodiment of the invention mayalso include four colors. In this embodiment, the first color 32 may bepurple, the second color 34 may be orange, the third color 36 may beyellow, and the fourth color 38 may be green when the color changingwater toy is below, for example, 27° C.

[0019] In any embodiment of the color changing water toy 10, one or moreof the three or four colors may be applied to the fabric with athermochromic paint or dye. One preferable method for applying thethermochromic paint or dye is that of screen printing.

[0020] Thus, in operation, when the color changing water toy is in anenvironment below a chosen temperature, one or more of the colors on thecolor changing water toy is a first color. For example, a portion of thecolor changing water toy may be purple below 27° C. but when immersed inwater above 27° C. or exposed to air above 27° C. would change to pink.The temperature of 27° C. as well as the colors described are exemplaryand are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0021] To manufacture the color changing water toy 10, a sheet of opencell foam or sponge is initially cut into cubes or another desiredshape. If desired, the cubes may be lathed into spheres or anotherdesired shape.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, alternatively, the soft porous absorbentcore 11 may be built up from a plurality of smaller pieces 13 ofabsorbent material. These may be many loose pieces of material enclosedwithin a single water permeable exterior shell 12 or the smaller piecesof material may be bound together. For example, a plurality of rodshaped portions of soft porous absorbent material may be joined togetherat their centers by, for example, a staple or cord. The compression ofthe rods at their centers causes the ends of the rods to radiate from acentral location thus forming an appropriate ball shaped structure.

[0023] As depicted in FIG. 4, the soft porous absorbent core may be madein any other desired shape. For example, the core may be shaped as aspheroid, a cube, a football, a disk, or a boomerang.

[0024] Alternate soft porous absorbent materials include fabric, cotton,cellulose fibers, synthetic fibers and any combination thereof.

[0025] Fabric or other porous skin material to form the water permeablecover 12 is printed with thermochromic colored material. Thermochromicmaterials suitable for imprinting on fabric 12 are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,567,019 issued to Lawton on Jan. 28, 1986; 4,421,560 issuedto Kito et al., on Dec. 20, 1983; and 4,028,118 issued to Nakasuji etal., on Jun. 7, 1977. These patents are hereby incorporated in theirentirety by reference. Screen printing or any other pattern makingprocess may be used. The fabric is then cut into the desired shape forcovering the foam core. The cut fabric is then stitched into shape whileleaving a small portion of the stitching incomplete. Fusing or otherjoining techniques may be employed instead of stitching. Thereafter, thefoam core is compressed and inserted into the water permeable cover 12and the stitching of the water permeable cover is completed to entirelyenclose the foam core 11.

[0026] In operation the color changing water toy may be immersed inwater and squeezed and released to allow it to absorb water. It may thenbe tossed at any object. Upon striking another object the water isreleased creating a splash.

[0027] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit of any of the essential attributesthereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A temperature sensitive color changing water toy,comprising: a soft, porous, liquid absorbent core whereby the toy mayabsorb and releasably retain a quantity of liquid; and athermochromically sensitive material operably associated with anexterior surface of the toy such that the water toy changes color inresponse to the temperature of its environment.
 2. The toy as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a thin flexible porous outer shellsubstantially surrounding said core and presenting said exterior surfacesuch that said quantity of liquid may pass through said outer shell. 3.The toy as claimed in claim 2, in which said core comprises a materialselected from a group consisting of open cell foam, sponge material,fabric, cotton, cellulose fibers, synthetic fibers and any combinationthereof.
 4. The toy as claimed in claim 2, in which said outer shellcomprises a material selected from a group consisting of fabric,synthetic fiber fabric, fabric impregnated with thermochromicallysensitive material, mesh fabric and any combination thereof.
 5. The toyas claimed in claim 2, in which said thermochromic material is appliedto said outer shell by a process selected from a group consisting ofscreen printing and dyeing.
 6. The toy as claimed in claim 1, in whichsaid thermochromically sensitive material is a thermochromic paint whichchanges from one color to another color at a temperature between about20° C. and about 30° C.
 7. The toy as claimed in claim 6, in which saidthermochromically sensitive material is a thermochromic paint whichchanges from one color to another at about 27° C.
 8. The toy as claimedin claim 1, in which a plurality of different colors ofthermochromically sensitive material are utilized.
 9. The toy as claimedin claim 1, in which said core comprises material selected from a groupconsisting of a unitary piece of material, a plurality of separatepieces of material, a plurality of separate pieces of material that areoperably interconnected to one another and any combination thereof. 10.The toy as claimed in claim 2, in which said toy is a shape selectedfrom a group consisting of a spheroid, a cube, a football, a disk, anannulus and a boomerang.
 11. A temperature sensitive color changingwater toy, comprising: a soft, porous, liquid absorbent open cell foamcore whereby the toy may absorb and releasably retain a quantity ofwater; a flexible porous fabric substantially covering said core; athermochromically sensitive material screen printed on said fabriccovering whereby the water toy changes color in response to thetemperature of its environment.
 12. The toy as claimed in claim 11, inwhich said thermochromically sensitive material is a thermochromic paintwhich changes from one color to another color at a temperature betweenabout 20° C. and about 30° C.
 13. The toy as claimed in claim 11, inwhich a plurality of different colors of thermochromically sensitivematerial are utilized.
 14. The toy as claimed in claim 11, in which saidtoy is a shape selected from a set consisting of a spheroid, a cube, afootball, a disk, an annulus and a boomerang.
 15. A method formanufacturing a temperature sensitive color changing water toy,comprising the steps of: forming a soft porous liquid absorbent core;printing a thin flexible outer shell material with thermochromicmaterial in a graphical pattern; applying said outer shell material toat least a portion of an exterior of said core.
 16. The method asclaimed in claim 15, in which the step of applying said shell materialcomprises the steps of: cutting said outer shell material to a desiredshape to cover said core: interconnecting the edges of said outer shellmaterial into a covering to cover said core while leaving annon-interconnected opening in said outer shell material; compressingsaid core; inserting said core into said covering through said opening;and interconnecting the edges of said opening to complete said covering.17. A temperature sensitive color changing water toy, comprising: meansfor absorbing and releasably retaining a quantity of liquid; and meansfor changing the color of a surface of said toy in response toenvironmental temperature.
 18. The toy as claimed in claim 17, furthercomprising means for substantially enclosing said liquid absorbing andreleasing means such that liquid may be absorbed and released by saidabsorbing and releasing means through said enclosing means.
 19. The toyas claimed in claim 17, in which said means for changing the color of asurface of said toy in response to environmental temperature changesfrom one color to another color at a temperature between about 2−° C.and about 30° C.
 20. The toy as claimed in claim 17, in which said toyis a shape selected from a set consisting of a spheroid, a cube, afootball, a disk, an annulus and a boomerang.